2014 BUYER’S GUIDE (PC)

The master race has had a good year in 2014 – a ton of PC exclusive games have released alongside the usual bonus of Steam and its incredible sales. If we could, we’d just slap a Steam logo on this page and say ‘Buy it all!’

MUST – BUY GAMES

CIVILIZATION: BEYOND EARTH
The go-to name in RTS games – a franchise that has withstood the shifting ground thegenrehas been tentatively rested on. Age Of Empires in space. Essential playing

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2015
The most in-depth/detailed RPG out there, and there’s not a warrior or bard insight (unless youcount violent playersand lyrical commentators) Pitch-side advice-shouting simulator

WASTELAND 2
A sequel we waited over 20 years for didn’t disappoint: the father of Fallout, the prodigal son of video games. Difficult choices and unbearable consequences still reign supreme. A triumphant return from the Eighties

BROKEN AGE
Tim Schafer’s newest foray into point-and-click thankfully doesn’t disappoint: it’s one of the most genuinely funny games released, and worth picking up if you ever enjoyed Monkey Island or Grim Fandango. High point in gaming comedy

THE VANISHING OF ETHAN CARTER
The craftsmanship of the world created by The Astronauts is the main reason to play this game – it’s a valuable lesson in art design and direction One of the prettiest games released this year

STEAM PICKS

BIOSHOCK INFINITE
Ken Levine’speak, both in game design and narrative. Usually on offer for about £10 – if you haven’t played this, you must pick it up. It’s a fantastic step forward in story-telling. Still one of the best games ever made

SUPER MEAT BOY
Don’t play this with a keyboard – it was meant for pads (you’d end up smashing your keyboard up anyway, without a doubt). An excellently brutal platformer; definitely one for the masochists. ‘Just one more go’ until 4am

THE STANLEY PARABLE
Self-effacing and meta to a fault, a game about games, telling a story about stories. Certainly worth playing through a fewtimes. An academic deconstruction of gaming

KERBAL SPACE PROGRAM
Ever wanted to be a cosmic engineer? This is probably the closest you’re ever going to get. It makes you want to prove that you get it. Flight Simulator in space. Difficult and addictive

SKYRIM
Skyrim’s life is being artificially extended by a series of stupendous patches that can only be played via PC. Seriously, you don’t know how much you need these in your life. You can make dragons into
Thomas the Tank Engine…